rats and mice

[crazyboy]

in the future i would like to start breeding mice and rats. i was wondering where i should purchase he mice/rts from to start my breeding groups. thanks

[Lisa]

we got ours from petstores

[Auskan]

I got my females from PetsMart and my male from PetCo. That way I hoped they weren't too closely related. (I got my first male from a local pet store where the mice are cheap and intended as feeders. He died a week later of unknown causes which is why I went to Petco for his replacement). Then I kept a male from the first female and a female from the second female as breeders for a second colony. Not that inbreeding is a big problem when I am feeding them off anyway, but just in case, I figured half brother/sister is better than full.

[crazyboy]

ok thanks. if i ask the people there will they be able to tell me if they are male or female?

[Auskan]

They should. But you could also do an internet search and familiarize yourself with the different sexes before going in. In general, its pretty easy to tell the difference as the males have visible balls (or big baboon butts as my kids refer to them). Unless they are very young, these should be visible by the time they are in the pet store.

[crazyboy]

what size rats and mice should i buy? the biggest ones? thanks

[Lisa]

biggest ones might be old.

[Jayson]

Dont buy anything that might possibly be sick. (listen for sneezing or wheezing)ALso make sure that they have good body weight (they should look a little plump)Males that are older tend to be much better breeders and very worth getting to get you started fast, Also their reproductive life is much longer then females so it is not as important that he be young.

Your females (if healthy) will be in the 250 gram range at 12-15 weeks they will have bright ands smooth fur. This is what i look for when shopping for new blood lines. And this is the age and size i start breeding them.

This is for rats I know very little about mice

[crazyboy]

ok thanks

[mykee]

I would try to pick up small females (under 100g, preferably hoppers), because if you intend to breed, you'll hopefully be feeding them better quality food than they feed feeders at the petstore. Get them young, raise them well, feed them good food, and you'll have a great breeder when the 250g mark arrives.

[sapphire_moon]

not sure about mice. But I got 2 of mine from pet co then the othe 3 (now 2) I got from the "feeder bin" at a local store. And the other female is a baby from the 2 from pet co.

If you go to a breeder they make you swear not to use them for snakes, and they make you sign a contract (good breeders do anyways) that basicly says they can take you to court if you do use them or their babies for snake food.......
I've also seen them agree to it only if you buy the male and female from them, and agree to give the first 2 litters to them.